On September 3, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani signed a strategic trade agreement with the UK during a visit of the UK Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan Oliver Christian.

Today, we signed the Joint Trade Priorities Agreement with the UK to deepen trade relations. We will leverage UK expertise in healthcare, trade and technology. pic.twitter.com/VAGsfDGQf4

— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) September 3, 2024

“Today, we signed the Joint Trade Priorities Agreement with the UK to deepen trade relations. We will leverage UK expertise in health care, trade, and technology,” Prime Minister Barzani posted on X.

The strategic trade agreement is aimed at fostering trade development and identifying key areas for growth, including agriculture.

The meeting was also attended by UK Consul General in the Kurdistan Region Andrew Bizley. 

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his appreciation for the continued support and assistance provided by the UK government to the Kurdistan Region. 

Commissioner Christian underscored the strategic importance of the Kurdistan Region, highlighting its significant potential for furthering economic collaboration between the UK and the region.

He also had a meeting with the Ninth Cabinet.

Together with my fellow ministers, I had productive discussions with a #UK delegation led by Oliver Christian, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan @HMTC_MEaP. We focused on exploring and refining the mechanisms needed to implement the Joint Trade… pic.twitter.com/kUwqjXvHYC

— Rêber Ahmed (@RayberAhmed) September 3, 2024

“We focused on exploring and refining the mechanisms needed to implement the Joint Trade Priorities agreement, signed earlier under the auspices of Prime Minister Barzani,” KRG Minister of Interior Reber Ahmed Khalid posted on X.

“The talks were aimed at translating the key points of the agreement into actionable strategies and practical measures that will further strengthen the trade partnership between the KRG and the UK.”

On August 21, the UK Consulate General in a post on Facebook said it had hosted a group of UK businesses to discuss the latest economic developments, business landscape, and opportunities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

“Glad to have met UK companies offering quality brands and services in the Kurdistan Region,” the UK Consulate General said.